Hi. I’m Alison Rayner, an award-winning screenwriter and film producer now about to direct my first short film – Ladder Jack and the Last Goodbye – a 5-minute animation with universal themes that should appeal to a wide audience.

MY STORY…

In 2022, after my mother passed away, I was inspired by my deep sense of loss to create this simple, emotional story. I often write short stories from a child’s perspective and this bereavement brought some of those feelings into focus. I hope this portrayal of a family’s struggle through grief offers viewers a glimpse of solace or hope.

Will you help me make my vision a reality?

... and MY EXPERIENCE

My previous writing credits include 14 episodes of ‘Baby Trucks’ TV animation for preschoolers, a crime thriller feature film SCAM (screening on Prime Video and Apple TV), and three short films (including Pastry which premiered in Cannes 2016). As a producer, art director and graphic designer, I have many years of experience facilitating individuals and teams to create marketing assets for clients.

JACK’S STORY

Themes

Ladder Jack and the Last Goodbye is a simple story about facing grief as seen through a child’s imagination. While it explores how we sometimes restrain emotions while processing sadness, it also conveys how saying goodbye may offer comfort, ease regret and help bring closure.

Why animation?

Animation can be the perfect vehicle for telling complex stories in a dynamic and visually engaging way. With no dialogue, Ladder Jack hopes to connect with each viewer’s emotional experience around loss.

Style and tone

Ladder Jack and the Last Goodbye will be hand-sketched characters outlined in chalky-black textured lines. Using traditional frame-by-frame cel-animation to create a seamless, dynamic flow of full-action motion, it will also capture subtle but impactful emotions that express the essence of Jack’s story. It could feel raw and uncontained, much like grief itself, but the relationships between the characters will draw the audience in.

Colour sets the tone as the story moves forward from Jack’s claustrophobic nightmare towards a more positive outlook; hues become richer as we reach the story’s resolution. Ladder Jack will also use sound effects and instrumental music to convey the poignant emotional journey of Jack and his family.

SYNOPSIS

Jack is only seven but excited to follow in dad Jimmy’s footsteps and work in the family scaffolding business. But after grandad John unexpectedly dies, Jack is haunted by nightmares and bewildered to see his tough daddy crying. Determined to help, Jack creeps out in the middle of the night to a house with a scaffold and, with a touch of magic, he builds his very own scaffold right up into the sky.

The next morning, Jimmy watches in horror as Jack disappears into a cloud. Jimmy rushes to the scaffold just as Jack climbs back out and makes his descent. As Jack and Jimmy embrace, a big boot steps out of the cloud. Jimmy looks up. He’s shocked to see his dad John jump off the scaffold to greet him. They hug each other tight. Then, as Jimmy lifts Jack up to join their heartfelt moment, John – and the scaffold – slowly fade away.

THE PROCESS...

Who else is on the creative team?

Ace animator Matt Echague has previous award-winning films screened in international festivals and on select streamers. As director, I’ve shared my initial storyboards with Matt and together we’ve developed the characters and visual style.

Sound effects and any additional editing will be managed by Nick Swannell, an award-winning filmmaker and music producer who I've worked closely with on several live action films. Ladder Jack will hire a composer to create an original score and record the music.

When will the film be finished?

Animation is a long, expensive process and completion milestones have been agreed in advance:

1. Character design by end of September 2024 (now complete)

2. Background design by end of October 2024

3. Storyboards by end of November 2024

4. Initial videos in 2 stages by end of December 2024

5. Final video by end of January 2025

We expect the final edit, sound effects, music and promotional materials to be created in the new year, from January to March inclusive, and the fully complete film to be ready for festival distribution in late April 2025.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Ladder Jack is seeking financial sponsorship and contributions to help create this unique and heartfelt story.

I hope you’ll consider becoming part of the Ladder Jack crew and join us on this unique journey.

Each contribution is received with my sincerest gratitude and a ‘thank you’ credit in the film’s closing titles. I’ll keep all contributors up to date throughout the film’s full journey via our gofundme campaign and social media channels all the way from original design through to film festival selections. Any contributor who donates £50 or more will receive a copy of the script and an exclusive ‘first look’ preview of the final film before it goes out to the festival circuit.

BUDGET

Creative: £2,800 (includes character and background designs, storyboards, video creation and editing, sound effects, titles, original score with recorded instrumental tracks, trailer and social media clips)

Marketing: £1,100 (includes graphic design, advertising, film festival entry fees)

Insurance and legal: £250

TOTAL: £4,150

CONTRIBUTE TODAY...

I’m really excited that you might join us on this creative journey. Making a donation is easy. Just click on the secure link provided.

Thank you!